WERE YOU SEXUALLY ABUSED IN A CALIFORNIA JUVENILE DETENTION OR YOUTH RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER?
You May Be Entitled To Substantial Compensation
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SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS
Fighting For Survivors Sexually Abused at San Bernardino County Juvenile Detention Center (now known as Central Valley Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center) in California
San Bernardino County Juvenile Detention Center in California allegedly failed to protect minors from sexual abuse by staff over several decades.
Levy Konigsberg is investigating claims that children at San Bernardino County Juvenile Detention Center in California were sexually abused while in custody.
San Bernardino County Juvenile Detention Center, located on Gilbert Street in San Bernardino, California, housed juvenile detainees under county supervision. The facility has been linked to multiple alleged incidents of sexual abuse spanning decades, including a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of former detainees alleging staff sexually abused them in isolated areas of the facility, and a corrections officer who was arrested and convicted for sexually abusing a minor.
The alleged abuse at this facility has silenced too many voices, but it’s never too late to reclaim yours. At Levy Konigsberg, we are here to help survivors rebuild their futures by holding those responsible accountable. Your voice matters, and justice is possible.
If you or a loved one was harmed, contact us today.
Were you sexually abused?
History of Abuse at San Bernardino County Juvenile Detention Center (now known as Central Valley Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center) in California
Examples of alleged abuse, and of conditions likely to lead to abuse, include the following:
- In May 2026, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of 136 former detainees alleging they were sexually abused at San Bernardino County juvenile detention facilities between 1996 and 2024, including at San Bernardino Juvenile Hall, the Central Valley Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center, the San Bernardino Youth Justice Center, and the High Desert Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center in Apple Valley.
The lawsuit alleged that supervisors ignored complaints, concealed misconduct, and allowed a culture of sexual abuse to flourish for nearly 30 years, with plaintiffs alleging rape, sodomy, groping, and other acts of molestation by corrections officers.
- In May 2026, a federal lawsuit alleged that 10 former detainees were sexually abused by staff at San Bernardino County Juvenile Hall in California, with the alleged abuse occurring between 1998 and 2005 when the victims were between 12 and 17 years old.
The lawsuit accused the county of institutional negligence, including failing to investigate warning signs and lacking a safe system for detainees to report abuse. One plaintiff alleged he was sexually abused more than 120 times over a six-month period.
Individual plaintiffs alleged staff members isolated them and subjected them to repeated acts of sexual abuse including groping, masturbation, digital penetration, and forced intercourse, with one plaintiff alleging that when he attempted to report the abuse, a counselor laughed about it.
- In December 2023, four individuals sued the county of San Bernardino for sexual abuse perpetrated against them when they were children in county custody. One of the survivors alleged he was sexually abused by a San Bernardino County probation officer while in the county juvenile facility, the San Bernardino County Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center, when he was only 10 years old.
- In October 2013, corrections officer Latavia Davis was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a minor at the facility.
You may also have a legal basis to seek recourse if you were sent by the State of California to an out-of-state youth residential treatment center and were sexually abused there.
We specialize in sexual abuse lawsuits against powerful institutions. These include government entities (such as prisons, schools, and juvenile detention / juvenile treatment centers), technology companies, and clergy.
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Who Can You Sue in a Sex Abuse Civil Case?
In a sex abuse civil case, the parties you might sue can vary depending on the circumstances of the abuse and the relationships involved.
Some potential parties that could be sued in a sex abuse civil case include:
- Individual Perpetrator: The alleged perpetrator of the sexual abuse can be named as a defendant in the lawsuit. This is often the person who directly committed the abusive acts.
- Institutions and Organizations: If the abuse occurred within an institution or organization, such as a school, church, sports club, or workplace, and they failed to take appropriate action to prevent or address the abuse, they might also be held liable.
- Employers: If the perpetrator was an employee of an organization or institution, the employer might be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee if the abuse occurred within the scope of their employment.
- Property Owners: If the abuse occurred on a property owned by someone else, and the property owner failed to provide adequate security or take reasonable steps to prevent the abuse, they might be considered liable.
- Government Entities: In some cases, government entities might be involved, especially if the abuse occurred within a state institution or facility. Suing a government entity might involve specific procedures and limitations.
Sex abuse cases can be legally complex, so it's highly advisable to consult with experienced legal professionals who specialize in this area to understand your options and pursue the appropriate legal action. Levy Konigsberg, along with our team of sexual abuse lawyers, is available to provide assistance for your sexual abuse case.
Do I Have a Case?
You may have grounds to file a civil legal action if:
- You were sexually abused by a guard, counselor, nurse, or other youth residential treatment or juvenile detention center staff member.
- The abuse occurred at any youth residential treatment or juvenile detention facility.
Levy Konigsberg represents survivors in civil lawsuits that aim to hold youth residential treatment facilities, juvenile detention centers, private healthcare companies, and other facility operators accountable for their failures to stop abusive staff members and protect young residents.
As civil claims, these cases are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse and focus instead on holding institutions liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:
- Your abuser is no longer alive.
- Your abuser was never charged with or convicted of a crime.
Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims
In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:
- Past medical and mental health expenses
- Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and psychological harm
- Lost income
- Other economic and non-economic damages
California Sexual Abuse Attorneys
Sexual abuse lawsuits, like other claims brought by plaintiffs who seek damages for injuries, are subject to a legal deadline known as the statute of limitations. When the statute of limitations expires, victims are not able to file claims or recover compensation.
Fortunately, California has recognized that the statute of limitations can act as a barrier to justice for sexual abuse survivors, which research has shown can take years or decades to come to terms with their abuse and the damages it had caused. As such, California passed the Child Victims Act in 2019 to extend the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits.
Under the CA Child Victims Act
- Survivors sexually abused as minors can file claims until age 40 (22 years after turning 18)
Determining the statute of limitations that applies to your case against California youth residential facility or juvenile detention center can be challenging, which is why it is best to bring your matter to the attention of an experienced lawyer.
We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society and seeking justice for survivors of sexual abuse in juvenile detention centers and youth residential treatment facilities. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing legal representation and support to survivors, and we are actively investigating allegations of abuse. We are working tirelessly to ensure that survivors have access to justice and that future generations of young people are safe from harm within these institutions.
Trust Levy Konigsberg's Legal Team for Proven Results in Sexual Abuse and Negligence Cases
Levy Konigsberg LLP, a nationally recognized law firm, has built a legacy over three decades, recovering over $3 billion in sexual abuse compensation for clients. Led by award-winning sexual abuse lawyers, we specialize in representing survivors in sexual abuse across the country, taking on powerful institutions. Our top-rated trial practice handles all types of sexual abuse or negligence cases, showcasing numerous testimonials and successful case results.